Where your surname comes from, whose land it was, and which tartans carry your name.
Each dot is a clan's traditional heartland. You'll see the council area it lies in today, with links to its septs, tartans and history.
Dots show a clan's traditional heartland or principal seat, approximately, not exact borders: territories shifted over the centuries. This map covers the Lowlands, the Borders, the north-east and the Lothians as well as the Highlands and Islands. The Northern Isles had a Norse rather than a clan tradition, so their families are not shown here yet. If you spot a mistake or a missing clan, tell us.
Clans were the kin-groups of the Highlands and Borders, each with a chief, a territory and a name. Many families also belong to a clan through a 'sept' surname linked to the main name.
Woven patterns linked with families, districts and organisations. The Scottish Register of Tartans, held by the National Records of Scotland, records registered designs.
After Culloden, the Dress Act banned Highland dress. It was repealed in 1782, and tartan became a worldwide emblem of Scottish identity in the 19th century.
The Court of the Lord Lyon, Scotland's heraldic authority, deals with chiefs, coats of arms and clan matters.
Clan societies in North America, Australia and New Zealand hold gatherings and family research, and often attend the Highland games.
Tartan Day, on 6 April, is marked in Canada and the United States, the date of the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320.
The official government site for Scottish family history records.
Search registered tartans by name, colour or place.
Most clans have a society and website for members and enquirers.